Get Paid for Live Performances with BMI Live

What is BMI Live?

BMI Live allows performing songwriters to input up to six months of their performance data to be considered for payment. Songwriters may input their tour information at their convenience for concerts from the previous six months and receive these royalty payments quarterly. Both headliners and opening acts may input tour information, and the program is open to all BMI affiliates.

Performance data may be entered by logging on to BMI Online Services from a desktop computer, a supported mobile device or through the BMI Mobile app for Android and iOS.

Testimonials

“Getting paid? Sometimes it is hard. BMI Live helps us get paid for when we play our songs live even at medium to smaller venues. Every bit helps and we’re grateful that BMI has our back.”
Jessi Darlin / Those Darlins

“For artists like myself that like to play live the ability to make money using BMI Live is a great resource.”
Gustavo Galindo

“BMI Live is a great program for touring artists, especially the ones who aren’t playing arenas (yet).”
Ruthie Foster

“BMI Live has been a great tool for my artists. The extra income has helped cover expenses for my acts making it easier to invest in their touring business. The submission is very easy and convenient and can be done in full after each tour or within a few minutes online after the show.”
Aaron Hartley / Manager, Caitlin Rose

“I love that I get paid through BMI every time I play live! Such an amazing program for independent, up and coming songwriters who want to spread their music through playing live.”
Allen Stone

“What BMI has done and continues to do, is find ways for performing writers/artists to receive compensation for their works in all avenues of performance. I am proud to be a part of such a team for 25 years now.”
Jeffrey Steele

BMI Live FAQ

Rates per performance each quarter are determined by a combination of the number of performances reported during the payment period and the general licensing fees available for distribution for BMI Live performances. Since the number of BMI-licensed works, as well as the amount of the license fees collected by BMI, changes from quarter to quarter, the royalty rate for BMI Live works likewise will vary from quarter to quarter. For more information on BMI and royalties see “How We Pay Royalties”.

Q: Should I report a classical performance using BMI Live?

No. BMI Live is intended for non-classical performances. Quarterly royalty payments from BMI Live are completely separate from the annual Live Classical royalty distribution, and BMI Live does not make payments for performances that occurred under a classical license. For more information, please review the Guidelines for Reporting Classical Performances to BMI.

Q: Can publishers submit setlists on behalf of their writers?

Publishers cannot submit setlists on behalf of their songwriters. Only performing songwriters may submit setlists to BMI Live.

Q: When I enter setlists for my BMI Live performances should I include cover songs?

Yes, you should include cover songs. However, only cover songs within the BMI Live database will be eligible for royalty payments under the BMI Live program. When entering a new performance, just click “Add cover song to your setlist” to select a cover song from the BMI Live database of cover songs.

Q: Does BMI Live track performances outside of the US?

At this time BMI Live can only be used for domestic performances. BMI writers performing outside of the US should download and complete the Foreign Live Performance Notification Form available on the Forms page.

Q: Can I use BMI Live for foreign live performances?

BMI Live can only be used for domestic performances at this time. If you are performing outside of the US, you can download and submit a Foreign Live Performance Notification Form from our the Forms page.

Q: What do I do if I have more questions about BMI Live?

If you’ve read all the FAQs in this section and still have questions, we have several resources to help. First you may wish to try: our BMI Live information page.

Q: Will I be able to edit my BMI Live performance information once I enter it?

Yes, you can edit all your performance information up until a certain date when it will then be submitted for processing.

Q: Do my band members and I have to be BMI songwriters to get paid through the BMI Live program?

Yes. Only those band members who are also members of BMI will be paid through BMI Live.

Q: Will publishers also be paid for BMI Live performances?

Yes, this program recognizes publishers as well as songwriters and composers, however only performing songwriters may submit set lists.

Q: How will BMI Live appear on my BMI royalty statement?

Payments will appear on your royalty statement as BMI Live.

Q: How can I notify my other band members to participate in BMI Live?

You can invite them from within the BMI Live program but only one member needs to log the performances for a band.

Q: How is the BMI Live royalty rate determined?

Rates per performance each quarter are determined by a combination of the number of performances reported during the payment period and the general licensing fees available for distribution for BMI Live performances. Since the number of BMI-licensed works, as well as the amount of the license fees collected by BMI, changes from quarter to quarter, the royalty rate for BMI Live works likewise will vary from quarter to quarter. For more information on BMI and royalties see “How We Pay Royalties”.

Q: How often do I enter my BMI Live performance information?

You can enter your performance information as often as you’d like. You will be able to enter dates for up to 2 quarters prior to the current quarter. You will be able to see the available entry dates as soon as you log in to BMI Live.

Q: When I enter setlists for my BMI Live performances what do you need to know?

You must enter the performance day and time, setlist and venue information.

Q: What is required to be paid through BMI Live?

You are required to participate in direct deposit to get paid through BMI Live. Sign up and manage your direct deposit simply by logging in to your BMI.com account or access BMI Mobile for Android or Apple iOS.

Q: Where do I enter my BMI Live performance information and setlist?

Setlists can be entered online via BMI.com or the BMI Mobile app. All you need to do is log into your BMI account and click the BMI Live link. Only the performing songwriter can enter performance details in BMI Live. BMI publishers are eligible for payment under BMI Live but do not have access to the BMI Live application for data entry.